Question:
At goal my appetites back:(

At 6 months my surgeon congragulated me for getting to goal so fast. I was 202 pounds and now 3 weeks later weigh 197. I am still slowly loosing, but live in fear that my appetite is so strong, and I will regain. Has anyone else gone thru this suspected this is our bodies way to prevent us from getting underweight? By making us all hungry all the time? It have noticed the more exercise I get the hungrier I get.I am fighting the appetite but its a loosing battle, every time I get on the scale I worry it will be higher.    — bob-haller (posted on February 11, 2002)

February 11, 2002
is your new tummy growling??? or is it head hunger??? i find head hunger is so hard to battle, make sure which one is giving you the problem
   — [Anonymous]

February 11, 2002
Congradulations on your great weightloss! Although I am not at goal yet, actually I was not given a goal weight by my surgeon, he just said I could expect to lose 90 pounds in a year (I have lost 87 in six months from 244 to 157)I was wondering the same thing since I can eat anything and I feel like I can eat alot for having had this surgery. The weightloss had been very slow lately also. So any answers you get will help me too. Good luck you are doing awesome!
   — Dawn H.

February 11, 2002
I often get ravenous in between meals so I've made sure I always have jerky on hand. It is high in protein, low in fat and, boy, does it curb the appetite. When I run out of jerky and snack on other foods, such as fruit or other complex carbs, I have found I get hungry again sooner. Also, my weight loss slows down. Why not give jerky a try (and also any other high protein-low fat foods you can think of). Best of luck to you.
   — artistmama

February 11, 2002
Hi Bob, I remember you one time answering a question about how our bodies stop losing when we reach goal. You gave a fantastic answer that I obviously remember, and have even tried to re-word it for someone else. Unfortunately it just didn't sound as good as yours:~) I do believe that it would answer your question quite nicely. You said something about eating more and losing slower as we get near goal. I am thinking that since you are AT goal, your body is just wanting a 'maintenence amount' of food, which would be more than your 'losing amount' of food. And working out definitely makes a body hungry. So add up the two factors and you are eating more than before. But I would still keep an eye on the scale, just in case. I think that monitoring your weight at maintenence is very important, so you can modify your diet if need be. But it sounds like you are doing great. It would be my fear that I would gain the weight back, so I hear ya. Try not to worry! Easier said than done, I know.
   — Cheri M.

February 11, 2002
Bob-I'm right there with you, buddy! I'm 9 months post op, down 128 pounds. The appetite has been in full swing since 6 months post op. I struggle every day with restricting myself and at times am concerned about my pouch as I feel I can eat too much. I'm disappointed because I feel like I have to diet again. I know this is not a magic cure and I'm thrilled with my weight loss, but I'm terrified that my weight will come back. Sorry I don't have any answers but I wanted to let you know that you're not alone. Hang in there!
   — Brenda H.

February 11, 2002
did any of you have the silastic ring placed at the bottom of your pouch to keep it from stretching.
   — faybay

February 11, 2002
Have you figured out how many calories you need to maintain your weight? I am at goal and I can eat more too, I think that is normal. But I still eat nowhere like I did pre op , nor can I consume that many calories. I bet if you take an objective look at this you will find that you can't also. Are you still drinking all your fluids? Remember to eat the good stuff first.
   — Rose A.

February 11, 2002
I have the same worries. So, I am very aware to not drink with meals and to really fluid load when I feel hungry. EXTRA fluid load, in fact. Then I wait about 15 minutes until I eat. Also, I still use small plate size and put an assortment on there and spread it out, prior to eating it. I try not to go back for seconds and to only eat non-processed foods. I have never gone back to bread, pasta or rice or popcorn. Those were my pre-surgery trigger foods. If I want dessert, I only take two bites and push it away. It is a struggle, an effort, every day. I never ever want this added weight back on my body. My starting wt. was 321 on my 5 ft. 6 in. frame...now, it is 187. I am not at my goal & the reducing has slowed. My surgery was 6-20-01. Keep doing what you did in the begining and for goodness ssakes, don't drink liquids while eating or for 1-2 hours after eating. Good luck to all of us on our lifes journey!
   — Barbara B.